This year’s Sustainable Scarecrow Competition attracted 50 entries from Victorian schools and kindergartens, showcasing superhero scarecrows made from repurposed, recycled, and reused materials.
Displayed along the Southern Drive of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, the Garden Superheroes theme encouraged participants to design scarecrows that embody heroic figures protecting gardens from pests and promoting plant health.
Nina Taylor, Parliamentary Secretary for Education, judged the finalists, with Sustainable Circe Shielding SKiPPS from St Kilda Park Primary School taking the top spot. This magical guardian, crafted from discarded objects like gumboots, netting, keys, pencils, and cake beaters, impressed with its imaginative use of materials.
Winning Entries
1st Place
St Kilda Park Primary School
Sustainable ‘Circe’ Shielding SKiPPS
A mythological guardian crafted from discarded materials.
Photo of Nina Taylor, Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Craig Taberner, VSGP Chairman awarding winning scarecrow Circe.
2nd Place
St Joseph’s Primary School, Sorrento
Texta Robo Bob
A robot made from recycled foam, glue sticks, and markers.
3rd Place
St Bridget’s Primary School, Gisborne
Brigitron
A futuristic protector blending tradition with sustainability.
People’s Choice
St Augustine’s Primary School
Captain Defender
Photo of Emma Vulin Member of Parliament and Craig Taberner, VSGP Chairman with Captain Defender
The general public cast their votes at the show for their favorite superhero scarecrow, with Emma Vulin, Member of Parliament, awarding the People’s Choice ribbon to Captain Defender, the creation of St Augustine’s Primary School in Keilor.
The Sustainable Scarecrow Competition remains a powerful platform for educating both young and older minds about the value of sustainability and creative recycling in shaping a more eco-conscious world.
With thanks to our own garden heroes, the 2025 Sustainable Scarecrows competition was made possible with support from Proteaflora, Shapescaper and Coolabah Turf.